The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-03
FLAMES IN ALL DIRECTIONS.
Whitman's Agricultural Works at
winthrop Burned to the Ground.
Frightened Citizens See the Village
Narrowly Escape Destruction.
The Town Suffers Heavy Loss to
Its Property and Business.

WINTHROP, Nov. 2.-Fire broke out in w
E. Whitman's agricultural works, at about
| 1910 today. 1t was in the south portion Of
the building, and first appeared near the
| boiler room. 1t was first supposed to bs
caused from an over heated boiler or from
sparks from the chimney blowing into pile
of shavings, but Mr.. Whitman says there
has been no fire in the furnace since nine
o'clock, and he thinks it incendiary. These
works are situated on Maranocook stream
and just south of Winthrop Mills, and are in
thickly settled portion of the village.
| In few minutes the barn of Augustus
| Thompson, OF Clark street was on fire and
also the residence of E. M. Clark near by
| The sparks blew in clouds in the face of a
southerly wind, sweeping the village and
setting fire in perhaps fifty places at once
The whole village was in an uproar. At one
time the belfry of the Winthrop Mills was on
fire, also several stores on the south side of
the street, the shoe mandatory of Col. G.
A. Wing and the residence of VIM. Beal, a
third of mile distant, besides and indefi-
mite number of dwelling places
Storekeepers were removing goods as rap
idfyy as possfDie on the south sice of the
street. Those on the west side of the street
were also getting in readiness, at o'clock,
to move, if the fire be not stayed. The resi-
dents on Mechanics Row, where Whit
mans Works are located, moved their house.
hold goods to the fields.
The selectmen telegraphed to Lewiston
for help, but the fire department of Win
throp saved the village. The hydrants did
effectual service Bucket brigades were or
ganized and all of the lesser fires were ex-
tinguished. Whitman's Agricultural Works
were burned to the ground. Winthrop got
terrible scare, but is not fre-swept.
The Lewiston relief train reached here at
LOO p. M, thirty minute run from Lewis
ton. The engine was not unloaded. A
crowd OF nearly 100 persons accompanied it
tural Works were built years ago, were
burned in December. 1888, and rebuilt by
stock company that now owns the buildings.
Mr.. Whitman leases the buildings from the
stock company.
!, A member Of the stock company estimates
the loss at $1,000 on the buildings; insured
for $1,000 in the Macomber's Company agen-
cy, Augusta. Mr.. Whitman loses all of his
stock and machinery, much of which was
complicated, valuable and expensive They
were doing big business, and it is severe
loss to Winthrop.
Twenty-seven threshing machines were
burned, OF tie value Of $1,000, and over 1000
wheelbarrows. The shops were full of
goods, and there was no time to move any
thing.
The fire was under control at O'Clock, and
although aparks were still flying about it is
not likely that any more buildings will burn
The total loss at present cannot be comput-
ed. Some fifty buildings were burned,
The safe stands up in the midst of the
smoking ruins of Whitman's works. 1t is
new Diebold and the contents are probably
not injured.
The main building of the works was 120x
TO feet with several separate buildings, and
large amount of seasoned lumber. The
works employed about forty men.
Augustus Thompson's house, hundred
yards from the fire, is damaged about 500.
The blacksmith shop of the Agricultural
Works, situated short distance from the
FIRE. is standing. but was badly damaged.
The $1,000 insurance on the building was
carried by the Whitmans in accordance with
special agreement with the stock company
owning the building.
Mr.. Whitman states that at no time within
year have they had such a large supply of
manufactured goods on hand. At this hour
winthrop S fire department is playing on the
ruins
Getting over the Scare.
WINTHROP, Nov. 2.--This evening the
sobh hdo oOtbiCu uOWu W ibS USUAL DuSlQeSS
activity, after the big scare and narrow es-
cape from the terrible confagradon which
threatened the town this afternoon. Every
body is thankful that the business portion
OF the village was saved. The cause of the
fire is as yet undetermined, various opinions
being expressed In regard to its origin. 1t is
severe blow to the workmen, many of
whom have families and homes here. A
good number of the workmen lost their tools
in the blaze.
Late this afternoon. Geo. c. Brewster, a
young man 20 years of age, was arrested for
setting the fire and locked up, but he proved
an alibi and was at once discharged. For
month past he has been night watchman at
Whltman's agricultural works, but was dis
charged Monday, and for some reason Mr..
whitman suspected him, but his ease in
proving where he was Wednesday forenoon,
quickly caused his release. 1t is uncertain
at this time whether the works will be re-
built or not.